Kierra "KiKi" Sheard

Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, the American gospel recording artist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard (member of gospel singing group The Clark Sisters) and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the influences of her family, their faith, and their music. At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Superintendent J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts, executing high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, and deep, throaty growls sometimes referred to as "squalls" (the latter is prominently displayed on "Done Did It", a traditional gospel leaning track from her album I Owe You).

Sheard made her stage debut at the age of 10 duetting with her mother on the Evangelist Richard "Clean" White-penned "The Will Of God", the standout closing track from her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed her skills as a performer accompanying her mother on stage. By 2003, EMI Gospel won a bidding war between several record companies to sign Kierra to her first recording contract.

Sheard is currently a student at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she is studying entertainment law. Though originally acriminal justice major, the decision to switch to entertainment law was definitely influenced by her growing career in the gospel music industry. Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006. She is currently engaged to Pastor Welton T. Smith IV, pastor and founder of New Life Family Church located in Detroit, MI.